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Royal Town Planning Institute celebrates 25,000 members

31 January 2018

The Royal Town Planning Institute has today celebrated a major milestone, welcoming its 25,000th member. The RTPI – the largest professional body for town planners in the UK and Europe – represents members in over 80 countries worldwide and supports them throughout their careers.

The Institute has been shaping planning policy, raising professional standards for over 100 years and is the only body in the UK to confer Chartered status to planners, the highest professional qualification.

Holly Hobbs, a Principal Planning Officer at Powys County Council in central Wales, is the 25,000th member. Holly has developed her career in Powys, becoming the Principal Planning Officer in 2015. She has experience in dealing with major rural schemes including intensive livestock units and wind turbine developments.

“The RTPI reaching 25,000 members for the first time is a major milestone and reflects the ever increasing value and prestige of membership. Our membership, particularly Chartered status, is the highest professional qualification sought after by employers.

Congratulations and welcome to Holly and all our new members. Membership will serve as a hallmark of professionalism and expertise throughout your career which will no doubt increase in value as Holly progresses from a Licentiate to a Chartered Planner.”

Holly Hobbs, Principal Planning Officer, Powys County Council said:

“Joining my professional body was important to me, not only for the career and personal development opportunities it offers but the role the Institute plays in championing the work I do every day – using planning to transform places and create vibrant communities.

Over the next couple of years I’ll be working towards Chartered status – taking advantage of the networking, mentoring and resources available through the RTPI – to ensure the people I work with, and for, know I have the highest professional standards and expertise.”

Over the past year, the Institute has focused on growth amongst student members and planners at an early stage in their career – like Holly, a licentiate - to grow the pipeline of planners and ensure a sustainable future for the Institute. The RTPI has also implemented streamlined routes to membership to ensure greater consistency and transparency, making it simpler to join.

A recent survey of its members – conducted by the Institute in 2017 – showed 85% of members highly valued their membership and 79% would recommend membership to a friend or colleague.

The RTPI provides a wide range of careers advice and guidance, support in gaining chartered status, events, conferences, awards, networking opportunities, the latest policy and research and more – a full list of member benefits is available here.